Chapter 244

Mason was initially speaking with several guests. Thea's arrival caused the people around him to disperse, leaving a few to listen to their conversation. Mason said, "Mrs. Hendrix, if I were you, I would avoid approaching me at this juncture."

Unexpectedly, a sense of peace settled between them.

He continued, "You sent my daughter to prison, and now you seek proximity. Isn't that inappropriate? Do you think I feel no sorrow for Teri?" Thea smiled. "If you cared about your daughter, you wouldn't be here. You'd be devising her rescue."

Mason had more than one child. His youthful indiscretions resulted in numerous offspring. Teri, his wife's daughter, was, aside from being naive, blameless. He'd chosen her as his successor, but she'd failed. He needed another child to take on the mantle.

"Mr. Langstaff," Thea began, "I hear your son has been unwell recently." She believed Teri's claim of Commerce Bureau interference. Teri had returned from overseas with Duncan; their previous collaboration with the Langstaff Group had been managed by her half-brother. Mason always encouraged sibling rivalry. He knew his son used underhanded tactics but didn't interfere, believing Teri lost due to her eagerness to please Duncan by undermining Thea. This incident, in Mason's eyes, disqualified Teri from leading the Langstaff Group.

Mason asked, "Mrs. Hendrix, what's your point? Be direct. I dislike beating around the bush."

Thea met his dark, calm gaze. His aura was oppressive, but Thea, accustomed to such pressure from Nicolas, remained unfazed.

"Mr. Langstaff," she said, "Ms. Langstaff canceled the Sparkle Rocks and Langstaff Group collaboration. I haven't ascertained your position. Sparkle Rocks accounts for 20% of your annual profits. A partner guaranteeing both quality and quantity is rare. You need us as much as we need you."

Mason was startled. His white beard trembled, his emotions more volatile than when Teri was arrested. "You're a clever child. No wonder Nicolas values you. It's a shame the Rowland family didn't appreciate you."

"I have nothing to do with the Rowland family," Thea stated. "Mr. Langstaff, even if you wish to continue our collaboration, I hope it's not for your future son-in-law's sake."

Mason snorted coldly. "If Duncan were truly important, you'd have been ejected by security long ago." Duncan had long coveted Thea, but even his audacity couldn't interrupt their conversation. Mason, valuing profit above all else, carefully assessed Thea's face before making his decision. "I've met Emmalie. I don't understand why the Rowlands chose her over you."

Thea, equally perplexed, listened. The Rowlands favored Emmalie, and Thea, having severed ties, wished no further involvement. Mason saw a strong ambition in her eyes—not for wealth or fame, but to elevate Sparkle Rocks and prove her doubters wrong. He mused, How capable is she? This tenacity impressed him. "Mrs. Hendrix," he said, "even without your visit, I intended to discuss contract renewal. My son, Aiden Langstaff, possesses a calmer temperament than Teri. I believe you two… would have a good working relationship." Even for Nicolas's sake, he would treat Thea respectfully.

Yes! Thea thought, her joy almost overwhelming. Collaborating with Langstaff would solve Sparkle Rocks' biggest problem; the press would cease its attacks; future benefits from her livestreaming would be immense. Despite her elation, Thea maintained composure.

"Mr. Langstaff," she said, "I hope your decision rests solely on Sparkle Rocks' and my commercial value, not Mr. Hendrix." She carefully distanced herself from Nicolas. Mason mistook this for a mere display of temper.

They spoke further before Thea's departure. Leaving the banquet hall, joy still shone in her eyes. Ollie leaned against his silver Maybach, a smile mirroring the car's sleekness. "Mrs. Hendrix," he asked, "why so happy? You agreed to be my companion, yet resolved a huge problem, making you and Mr. Hendrix the center of attention. Are you trying to humiliate me?" Thea hadn't forgotten Ollie's immediate distancing during the incident. They were business partners, and she wouldn't blame him for self-preservation, but it made her wary. He was shrewd, his words always purposeful. She instinctively distanced herself. "Mr. Windrow, shouldn't you celebrate your partner's crisis averted with champagne? It would solidify our cooperation."

Her evasiveness amused Ollie, provoking his anger. He approached, almost bending her over his car's hood. "Mrs. Hendrix, why the dishonesty? You didn't mention being Nicolas's wife." Ollie had previously investigated their relationship but found nothing. His current resources couldn't uncover Nicolas's secrets. Resentment filled Ollie. "Mrs. Hendrix, I don't understand. A simple call to your husband could have resolved tonight's events. Why did you shoulder it alone? He clearly loves you."

Thea knew their marriage wouldn't last. From the start, she'd avoided dependence on Nicolas, and this resolve only strengthened.